Signed And Unsigned...

Angry Pope

Angry Pope

All Raider
Joined
Feb 2, 2006
Messages
8,457
Reaction score
547
AFC EAST


Buffalo Bills

SIGNED:

2.(34) LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State
3.(92) QB Trent Edwards, Stanford
4.(111) RB Dwayne Wright, Fresno St.
6.(184) S John Wendling, Wyoming
7.(222) TE Derek Schouman, Boise St.
7.(239) DE C.J. Ah You, Oklahoma

UNSIGNED:

1.(12) RB Marshawn Lynch, California




Miami Dolphins

SIGNED:

2.(40) QB John Beck, BYU
2.(60) C Samson Satele, Hawaii
3.(71) RB Lorenzo Booker, Florida St.
4.(108) DT Paul Soliai, Utah
6.(181) FB Reagan Mauia, Hawaii
6.(199) C Drew Mormino, Central Michigan
7.(219) LB Kelvin Smith, Syracuse
7.(225) P Brandon Fields, Michigan St.
7.(238) DE Abraham Wright, Colorado

UNSIGNED:

1.(9) WR Ted Ginn, Jr., Ohio State




New England Patriots

SIGNED:

4.(127) DT Kareem Brown, Miami
5.(171) OT Clint Oldenburg, Colorado St.
6.(180) LB Justin Rogers, SMU
6.(202) CB Mike Richardson, Notre Dame
6.(208) RB Justise Hairston, Central Connecticut
6.(209) OT Corey Hilliard, Oklahoma St.
7.(211) LB Oscar Lua, USC
7.(247) C Mike Elgin, Iowa

UNSIGNED:

1.(24) S Brandon Meriweather, Miami




New York Jets

SIGNED:

2.(47) LB David Harris, Michigan
6.(177) OT Jacob Bender, Nicholls St.
7.(235) WR Chansi Stuckey, Clemson

UNSIGNED:

1.(14) CB Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh




AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens

SIGNED:

3.(74) WR Yamon Figurs, Kansas St.
3.(86) OT Marshall Yanda, Iowa
4.(134) LB Antwan Barnes, Florida International
5.(174) QB Troy Smith, Ohio State
6.(207) LB Prescott Burgess, Michigan
6. (SUPP): OT Jared Gaither, Maryland

UNSIGNED:

1.(29) OG Ben Grubbs, Auburn
4.(137) FB Le'Ron McClain, Alabama




Cincinnati Bengals

SIGNED:

5.(151) QB Jeff Rowe, Nevada
6.(187) DT Matt Toeaina, Oregon
7.(230) OG Dan Santucci, Notre Dame
7.(253) S Nedu Ndukwe, Notre Dame

UNSIGNED:

1.(18) CB Leon Hall, Michigan
2.(49) RB Kenny Irons, Auburn
4.(114) S Marvin White, TCU




Cleveland Browns

SIGNED:

5.(140) CB Brandon McDonald, Memphis
6.(200) DE Melila Purcell, Hawaii
7.(213) DE Chase Pittman, LSU
7.(234) WR Syndric Steptoe,, Arizona

UNSIGNED:

1.(3) OT Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
1.(22) QB Brady Quinn, Notre Dame
2.(53) CB Eric Wright, UNLV




Pittsburgh Steelers

SIGNED

1.(15) LB Lawrence Timmons, Florida St.
2.(46) DE LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
3.(77) TE Matt Spaeth, Minnesota
4.(112) P Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
4.(132) DE Ryan McBean, Oklahoma St.
5.(156) OG Cameron Stephenson, Rutgers
5.(170) CB William Gay, Louisville
7.(227) WR Dallas Baker, Pittsburgh

UNSIGNED

None





AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans

SIGNED:

3.(73) WR Jacoby Jones, Lane College
5.(144) S Brandon Harrison, Stanford
6.(183) OG Kasey Studdard, Texas
7.(218) LB Zach Diles, Kansas St.

UNSIGNED:

1.(10) DT Amobi Okoye, Louisville
4.(123) WR Fred Bennett, South Carolina
5.(163) OT Brandon Frye, Virginia Tech





Indianapolis Colts

SIGNED:

1.(32) WR Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio St.
5. (169) WR Roy Hall, Ohio State
7.(242) DE Keyunta Dawson, Texas Tech

UNSIGNEDL

2.(42) OG Tony Ugoh, Arkansas
3.(95) CB Daymeion Hughes, California
4.(98) DT Quinn Pitcock, Ohio St.
4.(131) S Brannon Condren, Troy
4.(136) LB Clint Session, Pittsburgh




Jacksonville Jaguars

SIGNED:

3.(79) WR Mike Walker, Central Florida
4.(101) P Adam Podlesh, Maryland
4.(113) DE Brian Smith, Missouri
5.(150) S Josh Gattis, Wake Forest
5.(149) OG Uche Nwaneri, Purdue
5.(166) DT Derek Landri, Notre Dame
7.(229) WR John Broussard, San Jose St.
7.(251) S Chad Nkang, Elon College
7.(252) OT Andrew Carnahan,, Arizona St

UNSIGNED:

1.(21) S Reggie Nelson, Florida
2.(48) LB Justin Durant, Hampton




Tennessee Titans

SIGNED:

4.(115) C Leroy Harris, NC State
4.(128) WR Chris Davis, Florida St.
5.(152) DT Antonio Johnson, Mississippi St.
6.(188) WR Joel Filani, Texas Tech
6.(204) DE Jacob Ford, Central Arkansas
6.(206) CB Ryan Smith, Florida
7.(223) OT Mike Otto, Purdue

UNSIGNED:

1.(19) S Michael Griffin, Texas
2.(50) RB Chris Henry, Arizona
3.(80) WR Paul Williams, Fresno St.





AFC WEST

Denver Broncos

SIGNED:

4.(121) DT Marcus Thomas, Florida

UNSIGNED:

1.(17) DE Jarvis Moss, Florida
2.(56) DE Tim Crowder, Texas
3.(70) OT Ryan Harris, Notre Dame





Kansas City Chiefs

SIGNED:

2.(54) DE Turk McBride, Tennessee
3.(82) DT Tank Tyler, North Carolina St.
5.(148) RB Kolby Smith, Louisville
6.(196) OT Herbert Taylor, TCU
7.(231) TE Michael Allan, Whitworth

UNSIGNED:

1.(23) WR Dwayne Bowe, LSU
5.(160) K Justin Medlock, UCLA




Oakland Raiders

SIGNED:

3.(91) OT Mario Henderson, Florida St
4.(100) RB Michael Bush, Louisville
4.(110) CB John Bowie, Cincinnati
5.(138) DE Jay Richardson, Ohio State
5.(165) S Eric Frampton, Washington St.
6.(175) RB Oren O'Neal, Arkansas St.
7.(254) WR Jonathan Holland, Louisiana Tech

UNSIGNED:

1.(1) QB JaMarcus Russell, LSU
2.(38) TE Zach Miller, Arizona St
3.(65) DE Quentin Moses, Georgia
3.(99) WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, UTEP





San Diego Chargers

SIGNED:

1.(30) WR Craig Davis, LSU
2.(37) S Eric Weddle, Utah
3.(96) LB Anthony Waters, Clemson
4.(129) TE Scott Chandler, Iowa
4. CB (Supp), Paul Oliver, Georgia
5.(172) WR Legedu Naanee, Boise State
7.(240) LB Brandon Siler, Florida

UNSIGNED:

None






cont'd...
 
cont'd...

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys

SIGNED:

4.(102) QB Isaiah Stanback, Washington
4.(122) OT Doug Free, N. Illinois
6.(178) K Nick Folk, Arizona
6.(195) RB Deon Anderson, Connecticut
7.(212) CB Courtney Brown, Cal Poly
7.(237) CB Alan Ball, Illinois

UNSIGNED:

1.(26) DE Anthony Spencer, Purdue
3.(67) OT James Marten, Boston College





New York Giants

SIGNED:

2.(51) WR Steve Smith, USC
3.(81) DT Jay Alford, Penn State
4.(116) LB Zak DeOssie, Brown
5.(153) TE Kevin Boss, Western Oregon
6.(189) OT Adam Koets, Oregon St.
7.(250) RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall

UNSIGNED:

1.(20) CB Aaron Ross, Texas
7.(224) S Michael Johnson, Arizona





Philadelphia Eagles

SIGNED:

2.(36) QB Kevin Kolb, Houston
2.(57) DE Victor Abiamiri, Notre Dame
3.(87) LB Stewart Bradley, Nebraska
3.(90) RB Tony Hunt, Penn State
5.(159) S C.J. Gaddis, Clemson
5.(162) TE Brent Celek, Cincinnati
6.(201) CB Rashad Barksdale, Albany
7.(236) RB Nate Ilaoa, Hawaii

UNSIGNED:

None




Washington Redskins

SIGNED:

5.(143) LB Dallas Sartz, USC
6.(179) LB H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh
6.(205) QB Jordan Palmer, UTEP
7.(216) TE Tyler Ecker, Michigan

UNSIGNED:

1.(6) S LaRon Landry, LSU





NFC NORTH

Chicago Bears

SIGNED:

1.(31) TE Greg Olsen, Miami
2.(62) DE Dan Bazuin, Central Michigan
3.(93) RB Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
3.(94) LB Michael Okwo, Stanford
4.(130) OG Josh Beekman, Boston College
5.(167) S Kevin Payne, Louisiana-Monroe
5.(168) CB Corey Graham, New Hampshire
7.(221) CB Trumaine McBride, Mississippi
7.(241) OT Aaron Brant, Iowa St.

UNSIGNED:

None





Detroit Lions

SIGNED:

2.(43) QB Drew Stanton, Michigan St.
2.(58) DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, Hawaii
4.(105) CB A.J. Davis, North Carolina St.
4.(117) OG Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech
5.(158) LB Johnny Baldwin, Alabama A&M
7.(255) CB Ramzee Robinson, Alabama

UNSIGNED:

1.(2) WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
2.(61) S Gerald Alexander, Boise St.




Green Bay Packers

SIGNED:

2.(63) RB Brandon Jackson, Nebraska
3.(89) S Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech
4.(119) OT Allen Barbre, Missouri Southern St.
5.(157) WR David Clowney, Virginia Tech
6.(191) LB Korey Hall, Boise St.
6.(192) LB Desmond Bishop, California
6.(193) K Mason Crosby, Colorado
7.(228) RB Deshawn Wynn, Florida
7.(243) TE Clark Harris, Rutgers

UNSIGNED:

1.(16) DT Justin Harrell, Tennessee
3.(78) WR James Jones, San Jose St.




Minnesota Vikings

SIGNED:

3.(72) CB Marcus McCauley, Fresno St.
4.(102) DE Brian Robison, Texas
5.(146) WR Aundrae Allison, East Carolina
6.(176) LB Rufus Alexander, Oklahoma
7.(217) QB Tyler Thigpen, Coastal Carolina
7.(233) WR Chandler Williams, Florida International

UNSIGNED:

1.(7) RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
2.(44) WR Sidney Rice, South Carolina





NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons

SIGNED:

3.(75) WR Laurent Robinson, Illinois St.
4.(109) LB Stephen Nicholas, South Florida
4.(133) TE Martrez Milner,, Georgia
6.(185) DT Trey Lewis, Washburn
6.(198) C Doug atish, Ohio St.
6.(203) S Daren Stone, Maine
7.(244) RB Jason Snelling,, Virginia

UNSIGNED:

1.(8) DE Jamaal Anderson, Arkansas
2.(39) OT Justin Blalock, Texas
2.(41) CB Chris Houston,, Arkansas
6.(194) CB David Irons/a>, , Auburn




Carolina Panthers

SIGNED:

3.(83) DE Charles Johnson, Georgia
4.(118) WR Ryne Robinson, Miami (OH)
5.(155) TE Dante Rosario, Oregon
5.(164) LB Tim Shaw, Penn St.
7.(226) CB C.J. Wilson, Baylor

UNSIGNED:

1.(25) LB Jon Beason, Miami
2.(45) WR Dwayne Jarrett, USC
2.(59) C Ryan Kalil, USC




New Orleans Saints

SIGNED:

1.(27) WR Robert Meachem, Tennessee
3.(66) DB Usama Young, Kent State
3.(88) OG Andy Alleman, Akron
4.(107) RB Antonio Pittman, Ohio St.
4.(125) OT Jermon Bushrod, Towson
5.(145) CB David Jones, Wingate
7.(220) LB Marvin Mitchell, Tennessee

UNSIGNED:

None




Tampa Bay Buccaneers

SIGNED:

3.(68) LB Quincy Black, New Mexico
4.(106) CB Tanard Jackson, Syracuse
5.(141) DE Greg Peterson, N. Carolina Central
6.(182) LB Adam Hayward, Portland St.
7.(214) OT Chris Denman, Fresno St.
7.(245) CB Marcus Hamilton, Virginia
7.(246) RB Ken Darby, Alabama

UNSIGNED:

1.(4) DE Gaines Adams, Florida
2.(35) OT Arron Sears, Tennessee
2.(64) S Sabby Piscitelli, Oregon St.





NNFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals

SIGNED:

2.(33) DT Alan Branch, , Michigan
3.(69) LB Buster Davis, Florida St.
5.(142) WR Steve Breaston, Michigan
7.(215) TE Ben Patrick,, Delaware

UNSIGNED:

1.(5) OT Levi Brown, Penn State




San Francisco 49ers

SIGNED:

1.(28) OT Joe Staley, Central Michigan
4.(104) DE Jay Moore, Nebraska
4.(126) S Dashon Goldson, Washington
4.(135) DT Joe Cohen, Florida
5.(147) CB Tarell Brown, Texas
6.(186) RB Thomas Clayton , Kansas St.

UNSIGNED:

1.(11) LB Patrick Willis, Mississippi
3.(76) WR Jason Hill, Washington State
3.(97) DE Ray McDonald, Florida




Seattle Seahawks

SIGNED:

3.(85) DT Brandon Mebane, California
4.(120) DE, Baraka Atkins, Miami
4.(124) OG Mansfield Wrotto, Georgia Tech
5.(161) LB Will Herring, Auburn
6.(197) WR Courtney Taylor, Auburn
6.(210) WR Jordan Kent, Oregon
7.(232) OT Steve Vallos, Wake Forest

UNSIGNED:

2.(55) CB Josh Wilson, Maryland




St. Louis Rams


SIGNED:

2.(52) RB Brian Leonard, Rutgers
3.(84) CB, Jonathan Wade, Tennessee
5.(139) C Dustin Fry, Clemson
5.(154) DT Clifton Ryan, Michigan St.
66.(190) OT Ken Shackleford, Georgia
7.(248) DT Keith Jackson, Arkansas
7.(249) WR Derek Stanley, Wisconsin Whitewater

UNSIGNED:

1.(13) DE Adam Carriker, Nebraska
 
2 more 1st rounders sign

Bucs sign Adams at #4
Boys signed Spencer at #26

Added: Bucs signed DE Gaines Adams, the No. 4 overall pick, to a six-year contract with a max value of $46 million. $18.56 million is guaranteed.

But as PFt reminds us:

This doesn't mean that there will be a run on the top three picks, however. Over the past few years, a big gap has developed between the contract paid to the guy taken at No. 3 and the player taken at No. 4.


Cowboys signed first-round LB Anthony Spencer to a five-year, $9 million contract. The deal includes a signing bonus of roughly $6 million. Last year's No. 26 overall pick, Buffalo's John McCargo, received a five-year, $8.6 million contract
 
Last edited:
Higgins Signs
07/26/2007 WR Johnnie Lee Higgins Signed D3-07
 
Nice to see Higgins in the fold. Bring on Simeon Rice and a dude named J Russ and TE named Zach and I'll be cool!
 
Kiffin likes progress on contracts

Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer on Thursday at 5:22 pm

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin told writers Thursday evening he was pleased with the progress regarding contracts for remaining draft picks.

All but JaMarcus Russell could be wrapped up Friday, enabling virtually the entire roster to be available for the first practice at 2:45 p.m.

Kiffin said thought Russell's deal could take a little more time, given the size and scope of the contract. He said he spoke to Russell at his home in Mobile, Ala., and that the rookie quarterback was eager to get to camp and get started.

Raiders.com announced in its transactions section third-round pick Johnnie Lee Higgins had signed, leaving tight end Zach Miller, defensive end Quintin Moses and Russell as the lone picks yet to sign.

Kiffin said Raiders players did not have to officially be accounted for until 7 a.m. Friday.
 
Still awaiting big-bucks deal, Russell expected to be no-show

David White

Friday, July 27, 2007

Pro Bowl defensive end Derrick Burgess is reporting to camp for practice today, though he's not exactly thrilled. No. 1 draft pick JaMarcus Russell isn't expected in town, though the coaching staff isn't panicking yet.

Turns out the Raiders can take the most mundane of events -- reporting day for training camp -- and inject it with excitement and intrigue. How many other teams coming off a 2-14 season can pull that off?

"We'd like everybody to be here when we start practicing," rookie coach Lane Kiffin said Thursday evening as veterans and rookies arrived at the Napa Valley Marriott.

That would be boring, and the Raiders are anything but.

The day started with Burgess' agent confirming in a phone interview his client was "unhappy" because the Raiders declined to renegotiate his contract, which is well below market value for two-time Pro Bowl sack leaders. Burgess decided to report anyway, and will not ask for a trade.

By day's end, it became clear Russell, the first pick overall in April's draft, was unlikely to report in time for today's first mandatory camp function, a 7 a.m. team meeting, with the first practice at 2:45 p.m.

Unlikely, as in he was still in his hometown of Mobile, Ala., on Thursday as his agent continued to negotiate a contract with an undisclosed team of Raiders officials. Second-round draft pick Zach Miller also wasn't signed as of Thursday evening.

Russell reportedly wants a rookie-record contract that includes up to $30 million in guaranteed money. His agent, Eric Metz, is not commenting on contract negotiations.

Kiffin said the talks are "going very well," but hinted this could take awhile. That means the Raiders are facing their first holdout by a first-round draft pick since returning from Los Angeles in 1996.

"We're extremely excited about the way we're going about it," Kiffin said. "We're moving along very quickly, but at the same time, we're doing things in the best interest of our future as well.

"We have a lot of time. He may not be here. We'll deal with it at the time and coach the players that are here."

The longer Russell is out, the less of a chance he has to compete for an opening-day starting job. Josh McCown, considered by team observers to be ahead of Andrew Walter at quarterback, figures to benefit most, and even he wants Russell in camp as soon as possible.

"It's huge," McCown said, "because these first few weeks, the practices that you get and the work you get, you never get back. Hopefully, it will get worked out to where everybody's happy and we can get him in here and get him working."

Kiffin has maintained a dialogue with Russell, and doesn't seem upset that the contract issues have not been resolved.

"We just talked in general about the handling of it and to make sure he understands what he has to do as soon as he gets here," Kiffin said. "He just wants to get here. I know he's so excited to get here."

Not so much for Burgess, who is entering the third year of a five-year, $17.5 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2005. Since then, he has posted an NFL-best 27 sacks, including a franchise-record 16 during his first season, and has been the Raiders' lone Pro Bowl selection both years.

According to an NFL source, Burgess and his agent approached the Raiders about redoing his contract based on his first two seasons. Team officials told them to wait until after the NFL draft and an early May minicamp.

The Raiders never got back to Burgess, so he recontacted them in June. He was told then that team owner Al Davis didn't think it was "good business" to renegotiate contracts with three years remaining.

Burgess' original deal was considered fair when he signed it, considering he missed two of four seasons in Philadelphia with injuries.

But, after two big years in Oakland, he wanted a deal comparable to what the Indianapolis Colts gave defensive end Dwight Freeney this past offseason (six years, $72 million with $30 million guaranteed).

Burgess was not available for comment.

More cuts: The Raiders cut tight end Courtney Anderson, last year's starter.

Kiffin attributed the move to a numbers crunch at tight end, where rookie Zach Miller is considered the leading candidate to start.

Anderson, from San Jose State in 2004, had 25 catches for 285 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Briefly: The Raiders signed third-round draft picks Quentin Moses, a defensive end from Georgia, and Johnnie Lee Higgins, a wide receiver from UTEP. ... They claimed defensive end Bill Swancutt from the Detroit Lions on waivers.
 
I put this here because it talks about the rookies too but it has some comments by Jordan and his attitude appears good...

Raiders eager to open shop

Steve Corkran

July 26, 2007 10:24 PM

NAPA, Calif. - They came by car, bus and chauffeur service. Some arrived alone, others carpooled. Slowly but surely, almost all of the 90 players on the Raiders' roster reported to training camp Thursday, converging from all regions of the nation.

The notable omissions were Oakland's top two selections in the NFL draft in April: quarterback JaMarcus Russell and tight end Zach Miller.

Not to worry, though, first-year coach Lane Kiffin said Thursday evening. Players under contract aren't required to report until 7 a.m. PDT on Friday for a team meeting, and Kiffin said he also expects Russell and Miller to be in attendance.

''We're making a lot of progress right now with all of them, and (we're) extremely close on some,'' Kiffin said. ''I'm not going to get into which ones those are, but we are expecting everybody to be in camp.''

Russell figures to be the one in question, given his status as the No. 1 pick overall, the huge contract he stands to land and the considerable leverage he has as the so-called quarterback of the future.

With that in mind, Kiffin said he is bracing himself for a potential no-show by Russell.

''We're going to do the best thing for the future of our organization,'' Kiffin said.

That is, make sure that Russell's contract doesn't inhibit the team's ability to make the necessary personnel moves in the future.

Russell wasn't the lone player making news Thursday. The Raiders cut veteran tight end Courtney Anderson, who became a starter soon after the team selected him in the seventh round of the 2004 draft. However, his progress was marred by inconsistency blocking and receiving.

''Courtney's a good player, and I'm sure Courtney's going to keep playing in this league,'' Kiffin said, without elaborating.

At some point, changes have to be made, Kiffin said.

''We have a long ways to go, obviously,'' Kiffin said. ''Fifteen wins in four years. We think we're making some strides. It's real early. We made a number of roster moves up to this point and, obviously, we'll have to make some more, too.''

Running back LaMont Jordan said he likes what he has seen so far. However, he cautioned, a team fresh from a 2-14 season can't get too giddy over much until the results materialize into wins.

''They say it can't get worse than last year,'' Jordan said. ''Technically you can, but we're not going to worry about that. I know that this year we're going to be a better team.''

It remains to be seen whether Russell will factor into the Raiders' on-field fortunes this season. For now, all he is assured of is getting equal practice time with veterans Josh McCown and Andrew Walter.

The sooner Russell hits the field, the better off he'll be, McCown said. He said he struggled his rookie season, even though he wasn't in competition for a starting spot.

''Even without the pressure, it was tough to learn,'' McCown said.

The last thing Russell needs, McCown said, is to fall behind and play catch-up right off the bat.

''It is very important (to be here on time),'' McCown said. ''It's huge because these first few weeks, the practices that you get and the work you get you never get back.''

Notes: The Raiders claimed defensive end Bill Swancutt off waivers. He appeared in eight games with the Detroit Lions in his two NFL seasons. ... Kiffin has scheduled eight night practices during training camp. That is a first for the Raiders since Mike White used the tactic in 1996. Those eight days are the lone ones on which the team will practice twice on the same day. ... The Raiders' first practice is scheduled for 2:45 p.m. today. They will practice at least once a day every day between now and Aug. 9. ... Rookie wide receiver Johnathan Holland was placed on the injured-reserve list one day after he signed a contract, agreed to an injury settlement and was released. He was Oakland's seventh-round pick. He is ineligible to play for the Raiders this season. Holland sustained a right shoulder injury during one of the team's minicamps.
 
Raiders report; QB Russell still not signed


NAPA, Calif. (July 26, 2007) -- JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, remains without a contract and was the most notable no-show when the Raiders reported to training camp.

Coach Lane Kiffin refused to call Russell a holdout but acknowledged the rookie quarterback was not even in California. Instead, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Russell remained 2,400 miles away at his home in Mobile, Ala.

"We're moving along very quickly, but at the same time we're doing things in the best interest for our future as well," Kiffin said. "We don't have anything mandatory till (Friday) morning, so as far as guys being here, they're all showing up at different times."

Russell and second-round pick Zach Miller are they only draft picks who remained unsigned and did not report to the Raiders' training-camp headquarters. Oakland did sign a pair of third-round picks: defensive end Quentin Moses of Georgia and receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins from Texas-El Paso.

"We're making a lot of progress right now with all of them and extremely close on some," Kiffin said. "But we are expecting everybody to be in camp. We'd like everybody to be here (July 27) when we start practicing."

Talks between the Raiders, Russell and his agent, Eric Metz, have been ongoing for weeks but the sides have yet to strike an agreement.

The deal is so complex that the Raiders have had as many as six people in their front office working on the contract.

Kiffin, who spoke with Russell by phone on July 25, characterized negotiations between the sides as "extremely well" but would not say when he expected Russell to report to camp. The first-year head coach said the Raiders don't have their first mandatory meeting until 7 a.m. on July 27.

"We have a lot of time," Kiffin said. "He may not be here. We'll deal with it at the time, and coach the players that are here. As soon as we get him we'll get him going. We hope that will be (Friday). If it were up to him, in a way, I know he'd be here."

Earlier in the day, the Raiders announced they cut tight end Courtney Anderson and signed defensive end Bill Swancutt.

Anderson, a seventh-round pick out of San Jose State in 2004, started 24 games the past two seasons, making 49 catches for 588 yards and five touchdowns. He split time last season with converted wide receiver Randal Williams and was not expected to start this year.
 
Raiders Report to Camp

July 26, 2007



Alex Mangione

On a warm and sunny day in Napa, Calif., The Oakland Raiders checked into the team’s Napa Valley Training Complex for the start of Training Camp 2007. For the next three weeks, the Napa facility will serve as a home away from home for the Silver and Black, where the players will be able to fully concentrate on football and avoid distractions.
Training Camp practices officially begin tomorrow afternoon as today was strictly for checking in and getting settled.

According to Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin, this year’s schedule differs quite a bit from last year’s Training Camp schedule.

As the days progress, the players will be involved in a mix of afternoon practices and two-a-day sessions.

“The reason we went to it (the new two-a-day practice schedule) is because it allows a minimum of eight hours in between each practice, so they have two meals between. After researching it, this was the best thing for their health and to be able to get them to practice at the level we want them to,” Coach Kiffin explained.

Each player wants to improve and change something about their game. Training Camp enables the players to do just that. For a veteran like FS Stuart Schweigert., his main goal while he is at Napa is to prepare himself for the upcoming season. Schweigert stated, “The biggest thing is probably my one-on-one skills because we haven’t done that much. This off-season I really worked on it during OTAs and Mini-Camps…just getting the one-on-ones against the tight ends, against the receivers, because I will be put into some positions where I will actually have the chance to cover some of the tight ends and I’m excited about it.”

Training Camp is used not only for improvement and growth, but it also brings out the competitive nature between the players. This will prepare them for the upcoming season, since each player is competing for a position on the team.

“There’s going to be a lot of competition at a lot of different spots – not just who’s going to start, but who’s going to make the team, and then who’s going to make the practice squad after that. There’s a lot of open competition. They (the players) understand that,” Coach Kiffin defined.

For other players, being at Training Camp is a new and exciting experience. Since it is the rookies’ first experience at Training Camp, it is not unusual for them to feel a little anxious walking onto the practice field. For most of the rookies, it is their ultimate goal to be in the NFL and a thrilling experience to be here in Napa. “It feels pretty good right now. It is a dream come true, it’s a great opportunity to be out here and play for the Raiders. I’m out here now and I’m starting to get ready and see what is going to happen. This is my first Training Camp, so I’m a little bit nervous,” declared rookie OT Mario Henderson..

For the next three weeks, Training Camp will serve as a place where the players can improve, grow, and increase their competitive drive. Each player will be here to prepare themselves for what the approaching season entails.
 
July 26, 2007

Random thoughts from Day 1

Some musings from reporting day:

*Michael Huff said he weighs about 205 pounds, five short of his goal. He's also sporting a shag -- that's right -- a shag hair cut. Low on top and the sides and growing in the back. He said it's a Dallas thing and it's training camp so why not. I'm glad I'm not from Dallas.

*LaMont Jordan had the best entrance of the day. He rolled up in a Lincoln Navigator. Well, he was driven in the Lincoln while sitting in the back seat.

*Jarrod Cooper's friends haven't heard from him in the last few days. He isn't returning phone calls since being released yesterday following his suspension for steroids. He expected the suspension, knowing he'd taken something on the banned substance list, but was stunned to be let go.

Coach Lane Kiffin said the suspension wasn't the only reason Cooper was released, but you have to believe he'd at least be in camp without it.
 
Saturday night lights

Jerry McDonald

When the Raiders have their first two-a-day session Saturday, the second practice will be under a set of portable lights.

Coach Lane Kiffin has instituted a series of night practices when the Raiders have two-a-days _ eight in all, although schedules are often altered during training camp. Morning practices will begin at 8:45 a.m. during two-a-day sessions.

"It allows a minimum of eight hours in between each practice," Kiffin said. "They have two meals between and after researching, it was the best thing for their health and to be able to get them to practice at the level we want them to."

And to think Kiffin got his wrist slapped by the NFLPA for working his players too hard in the offseason.

Additional notes and Kiffin quotes from his first training camp meeting with the media:

On negotiations with JaMarcus Russell — "We're moving along very quickly but at the same time we're doing things in the best interest for our future as well . . . He may not be here. We'll deal with it at at the time and coach the players that are here."

Regarding the shape of the franchise — "We have a long ways to go, obviously. Fifteen wins in four years. We think we're making some strides. We made a number of roster moves up to this point and obviously we'll have to make some more, too."

On recent roster moves which included the release of Adam Treu, Jarrod Cooper, Darnell Bing and Courtney Anderson — "All our moves were are made for the best interest of our team at this time. We felt with the signing of Donovin Darius there would be limited reps for Darnell so we made the move at this time. With Jarrod, with all the transactions, a number of things go into them and a number of things went into it with Jarrod. We felt it was the right thing to do for the team at this time."

On the NFLPA sanction for Oakland's offseason practices– "When they called me and informed me of it, I said what did we do wrong exactly? When they explained what it was, we were wrong. They said too much player aggressiveness, too much contact, practices were at too high a tempo. And I said, you guys are right, we were definitely wrong."

– Russell had surgery 10 days ago . . . OK, relax, it was Lasik eye surgery. He's fine.

– No veterans are expected to miss the first day.

– Kiffin would not divulge the makeup of the offensive line. "You guys will see that (Friday). We think we have a really good plan and we're going to go with it for now and keep guys competing, going for those spots. . . we're going to let them suit up and find the best five and play those guys and put them in the right spots."

– Update: The Raiders confirmed the signing of defensive end Quintin Moses, leaving Russell and tight end Zach Miller the lone unsigned draft picks.
 
Raiders training camp blog

July 26, 9 p.m.

The Oakland Raiders returned to town Thursday, checking into their summer training camp at the Napa Valley Marriott and looking ahead to a team meeting Friday morning and their first practice at Redwood Middle School in the afternoon.

Players — many with out-of-state license plates — unloaded luggage and personal belongings after finding a parking space.

“When I pull into Napa I know it’s time to go to work,” left tackle Chad Slaughter said after reporting. “I think my mind-set is already giving my body that feeling. I’m just anxious like everybody else is to see how everything’s going to go. My anticipation is high, just like everybody else. I’m here to work.”

The Raiders, in Napa for the 12th year in a row, are trying to turn things around under new head coach Lane Kiffin after a 2-14 record last year.

“I’m just excited to put the pads on again, get out here and play football,” said running back LaMont Jordan. “I know that this year we’re going to be a better team, especially offensively. I’m coming out there to carry the load and go out there and to lead my team. I think this camp is big for all of us offensively. We were horrible on the offensive side of the ball last year. It’s very important that we come out, that we learn the system, that we understand the system, and that we go out there and we perform a lot better this camp than we did the last camp.”

New at camp this year will be several evening practices that will be lighted.

“It allows a minimum of eight hours in-between each practice,” said Kiffin. “After researching it, it was the best thing for their health and to be able get them to practice at the level we want them to.”

The team’s first practice in pads is Saturday. The Raiders are still in contract negotiations with quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in last April’s NFL draft out of
 
Its like the day before christmas in here.
 
On recent roster moves which included the release of Adam Treu, Jarrod Cooper, Darnell Bing and Courtney Anderson — "All our moves were are made for the best interest of our team at this time. We felt with the signing of Donovin Darius there would be limited reps for Darnell so we made the move at this time. With Jarrod, with all the transactions, a number of things go into them and a number of things went into it with Jarrod. We felt it was the right thing to do for the team at this time."
Click to expand...

Regarding Bing, that is pretty much how I felt..that it was a numbers game.

Jamarcus fine tuning the machine by taking care of his eyes.

Optimism...I like it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top